Our Favorite Moments and Costumes from Kawaii Kon 2019
Snapshots from this year’s Japanese anime and pop culture convention at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Two weeks have passed since hordes of anime, manga and Japanese pop culture fans took over the Hawai‘i Convention Center for Kawaii Kon. The event featured film screenings; game tournaments; an art auction, which raised more than $2,200 for the Hawai‘i Foodbank; guest panels, featuring Star Wars and Cowboy Bebop voice actor Steven Blum, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Venture Bros. voice actor Michael Sinterniklaas, and Japanese musician and fashion designer Mana; and a concert by J-pop megaband m-flo, whose performance on Saturday night of the convention marked its first concert in Hawai‘i.
“I loved the energy at the m-flo concert,” says Kawaii Kon Director of Public Relations Gina Maeda. “Everyone was dancing and jumping, and it was nostalgic and surreal for me to be listening to their music.”
According to Kawaii Kon, around 13,000 guests turned out for this year’s event, many of them dressed as characters from their favorite Japanese anime, movies, TV shows and video games. HONOLULU senior photographer David Croxford captured some of the energy from the weekend. Here are a few of our favorite moments from the convention:
SEE ALSO: Con-fused About Hawai‘i’s Pop Culture and Comic Conventions?
The littlest magician, adjusting a magic wand and getting ready to perform another illusion.
Scoping out the action from the escalator. We love how the cap has to sit delicately in front of the ears.
This conventiongoer, who’s taking a moment to soak in her surroundings.
This conventiongoer, who’s possibly thinking about what to get for lunch.
These two, with a matching blue-and-purple color combination.
Furries, in progress.
He’s texting with his hands so he can keep his tentacles ready.
Scooby-Doo cosplayers, complete with Scooby snacks.
Finding a place to put her Kawaii Kon badge. We love that it matches her outfit perfectly.
We’re pretty sure she’s spotted something she doesn’t like that she’s going to use that scythe on.
This Spongebob cosplayer, who’s looking as awesome and excited as the real Spongebob.
This beard. And this hat.
This ghillie suit. Especially the backpack.
It takes serious confidence to go skin-tight on a costume, and these two pull it off.
These Pokémon masters.
A 19th-century cosplayer using 21st-century technology.
This giant head.
Read more stories by James Charisma
